Clark’s Elioak Farm Seeks Former Enchanted Forest Employees

By Cassie Felch
Posted: July 6, 2009

Clark’s Elioak Farm, which has restored many of the attractions from the old Enchanted Forest storybook park, hosted the 1st Annual Enchanted Forest Employee Reunion last summer. Lisa Winter reports that the farm continues to seek EF employees in an attempt to reconstruct the park’s records. If you once worked at The Enchanted Forest or have a lead on someone who did, please call Lisa at 410-730-8885, or e-mail ClarksMotherGoose@gmail.com.

Clark’s Elioak invites all former EF employees to attend the 2nd Annual Reunion free of charge, so save the date: August 15 from noon to 4 p.m.

Those unfamiliar with the history of The Enchanted Forest can check out the full story at http://theenchantedforest.ellicottcity.net. In a nutshell, this little slice of Ellicott City holds bragging rights as the first theme park on the East Coast and the second in the United States, just behind Disneyland. After its run, from 1955-1988, the park became the Enchanted Forest Shopping Center, which still serves the community today.

In 2004, Clark’s Elioak Farm began acquiring and restoring the park’s long-abandoned attractions and now displays them at its location at 10500 Clarksville Pike, in Ellicott City. For more information about the farm, call 410-730-4049, or go to www.clarklandfarm.com.

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Historic Sykesville Offers Much to Do this Summer

By Cassie Felch
Posted: July 6, 2009

Part of the attraction of western Howard County is the rural scenery and extra elbow room; however, one drawback may be fewer community activities. Fortunately, we live near Historic Sykesville and can enjoy its small-town atmosphere and events.

Next week the Sykesville Farmer’s Market begins at South Branch Park on July 2 and takes place every Thursday through the month of September, from 3-6 p.m. Vendors sell local fruits and vegetables, plants and cut flowers, and eggs. To view the park location, go to www.sykesville.net/main.html, select “Sykesville Farmer’s Market” from the left-hand menu, and then select “Click for map.”

The Sykesville Apple Butter Market, which began in June, continues the first Sunday of every month through October, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. It, too, takes place at South Branch Park. In addition to apple butter, arts and crafts, a farmer’s market, and food, live music begins at 1 p.m. Guitarist Ellen Cherry performs on July 5.

Finally, Sykesville Concerts in the Park begin on Friday nights, July 10 – August 21, from 7-9 p.m. The concerts take place at Millard Cooper Park, located on Springfield Avenue off of Rt. 32. Parking is free at Sykesville Middle School, and families can make use of the lighted play area for their little ones. The local Snack Shack also offers drinks and munchies. Dance-party rock band No Stringz Attached performs on July 10.

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Family Fun Day Festival July 18

By Cassie Felch
Posted: July 2, 2009

Sykesville’s Family Fun Day Festival takes place at Millard Cooper Park from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. July 18. The event includes music and entertainment, food, crafts, pony rides, clowns, a petting zoo, carnival games, inflatables and moon bounces, hair and face painting, a car show, and a karaoke competition. A Kids’ Workshop, offering a variety of projects, runs from noon until 3. Go to www.sykesville.net for more about the event; for directions to Millard Cooper Park (or other Sykesville venues), go to www.mdparty.com/sykesvilleconcerts and select the “Directions” link.

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Marriotts Ridge area athletes go unbeaten in rec league

By Cassie Felch
Posted: July 2, 2009

Congratulations to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish girls’ lacrosse team! This junior division (age 13-14) recreational league team, composed primarily of students in the Marriotts Ridge High School district, reigned undefeated during regular season and playoffs. Coach Brian Stephens credits the girls’ responsiveness to himself and the two assistant coaches, Kellie Riley and Jen Lash, both rising seniors at MRHS. Also key to their championship win, he explains, were aggressive double-teaming defense, strong goal-tending, draw control, and balanced scoring.

Team members include Ashlyn Altieri, Gabriella Barker, Rebecca Biegel, Megan Blodgett, Victoria Chahanovich, Allison D’Amato, Brianna Dick, Julie Dixon, Morgan Jones, Amanda Lash, Carey McDonald, Emily Roberts, Rachel Rusonis, Madison Stephens, Samantha Terrill, Theresa Tran, Grace Trimble, Emily Wolf, and Jessica Yingling.

Stephens points out that some of these players could represent MRHS lacrosse for the next four years. What a coup for our local high school!

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Learn More about Sykesville during History Tea July 12

By Cassie Felch
Posted: June 30, 2009

Sisters Robyn Zumbrun and Lisa Meyer, owners of Sweet Simplici-Tea tearoom, invite you to learn more about Sykesville during their History Tea celebration July 12 at noon (with a 2 p.m. seating if demand necessitates). The event begins with a Royal Tea and concludes with a walking tour of the town, guided by local historian Kari Greenwalt.

Sweet Simplici-Tea celebrated its first anniversary June 14. For years, Robyn, a resident of Baltimore County, collected china, linens, teapots, pictures, and curios in hopes of one day opening her own tearoom. However, she did not share her aspirations with others until her birthday in November 2007, when her father gave her a charming pink and white Lenox teapot. That gift triggered a quest to realize her dream, so she and Lisa began looking for a shop location. Ultimately, they settled in at 7520 Main St., in Sykesville.

The sisters enjoy a terrific working relationship and demonstrate a natural division of talent. Lisa, an Ellicott City resident, once worked in the mortgage field and thus handles the business aspects of the tearoom. She also runs the day-to-day operations, functioning as hostess and server. Robyn, on the other hand, acts as the creative and culinary force behind the scenes. She currently maintains her position as an operating room nurse but hopes to one day join her sister full-time in the tearoom. Both enjoy the people they meet and the friendships they make in their new endeavor.

One of their regular customers, Pat Greenwald (no relation to Kari Greenwalt), lives on the Howard County side of Sykesville and works as the coordinator for the Historic Sykesville Colored Schoolhouse. She explains that the schoolhouse “served children of color from Howard and Carroll Counties from 1904 until 1939.” Although fully restored, this interesting part of our local history still requires funds for utilities and for educating our area youth about the facility.

To help raise money in support of the Schoolhouse, Robyn and Lisa have pulled together a Longaberger basket filled with tea-related goodies and are accepting donations of $3 for a chance to win, or $10 for four chances. They will draw the winner’s name during the History Tea.

To reserve a seat for this special tea, call 410-549-7676, or go to www.sweetsimplicitea.com for more information.

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